Noise attenuating braider carrier

ABSTRACT

A noise attenuating braider carrier adapted for use with circular braiding apparatus, the carrier including a polymeric body portion having oppositely facing generally parallel flat portions attached in spaced relationship by a web, the flat portions in combination with the web and body portions defining a compliant section having noise attenuating characteristics.

nited States Patent [191 Lefevre NOISE AT TENUATING BRAIDER CARRllER [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: The Gates Rubber Company,

Denver, Colo.

[22] Filed: Nov. 12, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 415,045

James F. Lefevre, Denver, Colo.

[52] US. Cl. 87/55, 87/50 [51] Int. Cl. D04c 3/18 [58] Field of Search .L 87/22, 50, 55-57 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,211,730 8/1940 Olson 87/55 2,718,810 9/1955 Groh 87/56 2,897,715 8/1959 Olson 87/56 2,960,905 11/1960 Scanlon 87/55 [451 Dec. 17, 1974 2,988,300 6/1961 Woods et al. .l 87/56 UX 3,038,367 6/1962 Karg et a1. 87/22 3,276,310 10/1966 Radlauer 87/57 X Stahl 87/55 Primary E.\'uminerJohn Petrakes Attorney, Agvnl, or I"irmH, W. Oherg, .Ir.; Raymond Fink; Curtis H. (usllcmzn Jr.

[57 ABSTRACT A noise attenuating braider carrier adapted for use with circular braiding apparatus, the carrier including a polymeric body portion having oppositely facing generally parallel flat portions attached in spaced relationship by a web, the flat portions in combination with the web and body portions defining a compliant section having noise attenuating characteristics.

2 Claims,'3 Drawing Figures PATENTEL DEC] 7 I974 NOISE ATTENUATING BRAIDER CARRIER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to textiles, braiding, netting,

and lace making, but more particularly the invention relates to apparatus for braiding with strand tension control mechanisms and noise attenuating characteristics.

Circular type orbital braiders are characteristically used to twine a reinforcing web on tubular articles such as tubing. The braiding apparatus typically includes a planer deck having out-of-phase sinuous and concentric grooves formed therein. A plurality of braider carriers are driven in timed relationship within the grooves during the twining process. The carriers carry a bobbin filled with strand material. While these machines have satisfactorily been used for a number of years to twine strands over tubular articles, two disadvantages'associated with such apparatus is currently being recognized.

A major problem associated with such braiders is their inherent capacity to produce noise at levels which may be irritating to the human body. As the braiders must typically be manually maintained for such things as bobbin filling, bobbin replacement, strand breakage and starting and stopping, the human element cannot be removed from association with the machines. One solution to such a noise problem would be to installa cover or housing around the braiding apparatus. Such a'housing introduces problems as they must be continually opened or closed or removed during braider apparatus maintenance.

A second problem currently recognized is associated with new synthetic strand materials and thinner and softer tube walls. Some new strand materials have characteristics which causes problems with twining strands into a smooth pattern without bunching. Other synthetic materials must be chemically treated with agents to enhance chemical bonding with tube material. The chemical agent may increase relative friction between strands of like material. The increased friction level of the strand makes the strand entwining most sensitive to Another object of this invention is to provide a carrier having improved strand tensioning control characteristics.

Still another object ot this invention is to provide braiding apparatus that produces half or less than half of the noise associated with braiding machines having metallic carriers.

strand tension. The thinner and softer material define SUMMARY OF TI-IE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a braider carrier is provided for use with braiding apparatus of the type having a generally planer deck with sinuous, out-ofphase grooves formed therein. The'carrier includes an integrally molded body of resilient polymeric material, the body having upper and lower portions. The lower portion of the body includes two oppositely facing faces attached in spaced relationship with an integral web. The upper body portion includes two generally paralleled mounting portions adapted to receive a bobbin spindle and strand guide. The oppositely facing faces; and the generally parallel mounting portions define first and'second compliance sections which impart ,noise attenuating and strand tensioning characteristics .to the carrien' Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a braider carrier having noise attenuating charac-.

. An advantage of the invention is that the carrier may impact a portion of reinforced drooping tubing without being seriously damaged.

These and other objects or advantages of the invention will become more apparent by reviewing the drawings and description thereof wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a portion of braiding apparatus showing a planer deck with carriers.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a braider carrier made in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a braider carrier.

DESCRIPTION OF. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the Figures, a braiding apparatus is pro- I vided having a plurality of spaced carriers 10,- 12. The braiding apparatus 15 of the type thatincludes a generally planer deck 14 with two out-of-phase, generally sinusoidal and concentric grooves l6, 18 formed therein. The carriers 10 are divided into two groups. The first group of carriers 10 is driven in counter-clockwise rotation in one of the grooves while the second group of carriers 12 is driven in clock-wise rotation in the other groove. The carriers 10, 12 are driven by known means in a timed relation. Each carrier holds a bobbin 20 filled with strand material 22. As the groups of carriers are advanced in their respective grooves, the strand material is twined over a tubular product such as a hose 24 to define a reinforcement.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, each carrier l0, 12 has a body 26 to which is mounted a bobbin spindle 28, a strand guide 30, and a strand tensioning mechanism 22. The body is integrally molded of a resilient polymeric material. While many polymeric materials may be used, those having impact strength in combination with vibration "attenuating characteristics are desired. For example, polyurethanes of medium hardness having generally 'a scale hardness of 40-45D are satisfactory. Also, a polyester sold under the Trade Name Hytrel as manufactured by Dupont, with a scale hardness of 50-551) is satisfactory. Of

course, those skilled in the art of vibration may choose '36 that are held in spaced relationship by an integral web 36. The flat portions interface and sandwich the planer deck 14 of the braiding apparatus. The web has a thickness which is less than the width of the grooves l6, l8 and is positioned-to operate in the grooves. The web 38 in combination with the flat portions 34, 36 define a first compliant section of the carrier body. The

. web is sufficiently long enough to orient the carrier generally longitudinally in the sinuous grooves.

The upper body portion has three sections for attaching component parts thereto. A strand tensioning means 32 of known configuration is attached in known fashion to the body. Two mounting portions 39, 40 extend upwardly from the body in generally parallel relationship. The mounting portions are spaced apart a sufficient amount which exceeds the maximum radius of a bobbin 20, shown in dotted form. The bobbin spindle 28 is attached to one of the mounting portions 39 while the strand guide 30 is attached to the other body portion 40. The spindle 28 and guide 30 extend upwardly in generally parallel fashion. The mounting portions 39, 40 in combination with the body extending therebetween define a second compliance which aids in controlling strand tension. A bobbin 20 loaded with a strand material is positioned on the bobbin spindle 28 and the strand 22 is threaded through a first eye 42 of the strand guide, through the tensioning means 32, and then through a second eye 44 of the strand guide.

In operation, the carriers 10, 12 are driven in timed relationship around the planer deck 14. The carriers are driven in sinuous fashion along the grooves 16, 18' which interlaces the strand material 22 to form a braid. As the carriers are driven, their angular acceleration is rapidly changed as they move inwardly and outwardly in the grooves. When a metal body portion is used, the rapid change in acceleration generates noise as the metal parts of the braider impact the metal planer deck.

When a carrier made in accordance with the invention is used, the polymeric material of the body interfaces with the metal planer deck, absorbing vibrations that produce noise. As the carrier undergoes different rates of acceleration, the first compliant section of the body attenuates the cylic vibration interposed from the sinuous grooves to the carrier. The compliant section attenuates audible noise of the braider carrier. The magnitude of effective noise reduction is illustrated by the following example.

A standard 36 carrier vertical braider having a planer deck with metal carriers was used to twine strand material over a inch tube of polymeric material. The speed of the tube was 3.63 feet per minute and the rotational speed of the braiders was 5 carrier revolutions per foot of tube travel. A noise level reading was taken using a sound pressure level meter approximately 3 feet at a radius from the apparatus. Several readings were then averaged in accordance with standard methods for averaging sound waves. It was found that the reading apparatus with metal carriers produced 100 decibels of noise.

The same braiding apparatus was then equipped with carriers of the invention. The carriers were loaded with the same strand of material and the same tube was used. The tube speed and carrier rotational speed were the same as noted above. Noise level readings were then taken in the same positions according to the same procedure as set forth above. The noise level was approximately 88 decibels.

From the above examples it is seen that noise level is significantly reduced when braiding apparatus is equipped with'carriers of the invention. On a decibel scale rating, the noise level was reduced approximately 12 times.

As the braider carriers are driven in sinusoidal fashion about the carrier deck in interlacing fashion, the strand tension must be maintained within tolerable limits to effect a satisfactory braid pattern. As a carrier is driven radially outward along the planer'deck, strand tension increases which raises the arm 46 of the strand tensioning means. As the carrier is driven radially inward, strand tension decreases which causes the biased arm 46 of the strand tensioning means to move downwardly in an attempt to maintain a constant tension at the point where braiding is taking place. The up and down motion of the arm engages and disengages a pawl 48 and ratchet system allowing the bobbin to intermittently rotate. The intermittent rotation of the bobbin introduces tension pulses in the strand. The second compliance of the polymeric body tends to dampen the pulses so produced to effect a more even strand tension which results in smoother braiding.

To establish the compliance of the polymeric body, as assemblied braider carrier of the invention was compared to a steel carrier of the prior art. Both carriers were installed. A force F was applied to both polymeric and steel carriers laterally at the midpoint of the bobbin spindle and the deflection at the top of the spindle was measured. Similarly, a force F was applied to the strand guide at eye 42 and deflection was measured at eye 44. The lateral force was successively increased and the procedure repeated. The following table summarizes the results.

The above table clearly shows the difference in compliance of the prior art carriers and carriers of the invention. It is believed that the difference in compliance accounts for improved braiding charaeteristics'for a braiding machine when carriers of the invention are used.

The foregoing detailed description is made for purpose of illustration only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined from the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a braiding apparatus of the type having a generally planar deck with two out-of-phase generally sinusoidal and concentric grooves formedtherein, a plurality of strand carriers slidably mounted to operate in the grooves, and means to advance the carriers in timed relation in the grooves, the improvement in the carriers comprising:

a resilient polymeric body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion including two oppositely facing generally parallel flat portions spaced apart with a generally flat web portion, the flat portions interfacing the planar deck and the web portion slidably mounted and guided by the sinusoidal grooves, the flat portions in combination with the web portion defining a first compliant section in said body, the upper portion including upwardly extending generally parallel spaced mounting portions defining a second compliant section therebetween; p v

a bobbin spindle removably attached to one mounting portion, the bobbin spindle, mounting portion, and first and second compliant sections having a combined deflection capability of generally 0.07 to,

0.1 inch per pound of force laterally applied to near the mid-point of the bobbin spindle; and

a strand'guide removably attached to the other mounting portion, the bobbinjspindle and strand guide extending upwardly in generally parallel fashion, the strand guide, strand guide mounting 2. A bobbin carrier adapted for use with braiding ap-' paratus of the type having a generally planar deck with two out-of-phase generally sinusoidal, concentric grooves, and means to advance the carrier in one of the grooves, the bobbin carrier comprising:

an integrally molded resilient polymeric body having upper and lower portions; the lower portion includtwo oppositely facing, generally parallelflat portions, a web interconnecting and spacing the flat portions, the web adapted to interface with one of the grooves and the flat portionsadapted to interface with the planar deck, the flatand web portions defining a first compliant section in the body; the upper portion including:

upwardly extending spaced first and second generally parallel mounting portions defining a second compliant section therebetween;

a bobbin spindle removably attached to. one'of the mounting portions; the bobbin spindle, mounting portion, and first and second compliant sections having a combined deflection capability of gener ally 0.07 to 0. 1 inch per pound of force laterally applied to near the mid-point of the bobbin spindle;

and

strand guide removably attached to the other mounting portion, the bobbinlspindle and strand guide extending longitudinally of the body in generally parallel fashion, the strand guide, strand guide mounting portion, and first and second com I pliant sections having a combined deflection capability of generally 0.25 to 0.75 inch per pound of force laterally applied to near the mid-point of the strand guide; and

strand tensioning means mounted to the upper body portion. 

1. In a braiding apparatus of the type having a generally planar deck with two out-of-phase generally sinusoidal and concentric grooves formed therein, a plurality of strand carriers slidably mounted to operate in the grooves, and means to advance the carriers in timed relation in the grooves, the improvement in the carriers comprising: a resilient polymeric body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion including two oppositely facing generally parallel flat portions spaced apart with a generally flat web portion, the flat portions interfacing the planar deck and the web portion slidably mounted and guided by the sinusoidal grooves, the flat portions in combination with the web portion defining a first compliant section in said body, the upper portion including upwardly extending generally parallel spaced mounting portions defining a second compliant section therebetween; a bobbin spindle removably attached to one mounting portion, the bobbin spindle, mounting portion, and first and second compliant sections having a combined deflection capability of generally 0.07 to 0.1 inch per pound of force laterally applied to near the mid-point of the bobbin spindle; and a strand guide removably attached to the other mounting portion, the bobbin spindle and strand guide extending upwardly in generally parallel fashion, the strand guide, strand guide mounting portion, and first and second compliant sections having a combined deflection capability of generally 0.25 to 0.75 inch per pound of force laterally applied to near the midpoint of the strand guides; and means for tensioning strands mounted to the upper body portion; the first and second compliant sections in combination defining a strand dampening means for controlling strand tension in cooperation with the strand tensioning means; whereby the first compliant section in association with the deck dampens audible vibrations as the carrier is advanced on the deck.
 2. A bobbin carrier adapted for use with braiding apparatus of the type having a generally planar deck with two out-of-phase generally sinusoidal, concentric grooves, and means to advance the carrier in one of the grooves, the bobbin carrier comprising: an integrally molded resilient polymeric body having upper and lower portions; the lower portion including: two oppositely facing, generally parallel flat portions, a web interconnecting and spacing the flat portions, the web adapted to interface with one of the grooves and the flat portions adapted to interface with the planAr deck, the flat and web portions defining a first compliant section in the body; the upper portion including: upwardly extending spaced first and second generally parallel mounting portions defining a second compliant section therebetween; a bobbin spindle removably attached to one of the mounting portions; the bobbin spindle, mounting portion, and first and second compliant sections having a combined deflection capability of generally 0.07 to 0.1 inch per pound of force laterally applied to near the mid-point of the bobbin spindle; and a strand guide removably attached to the other mounting portion, the bobbin spindle and strand guide extending longitudinally of the body in generally parallel fashion, the strand guide, strand guide mounting portion, and first and second compliant sections having a combined deflection capability of generally 0.25 to 0.75 inch per pound of force laterally applied to near the mid-point of the strand guide; and strand tensioning means mounted to the upper body portion. 